Guide to the 2020 Presidential Candidates: Here’s Where They Stand on Money Issues and More

Donald Trump is facing a crowd of challengers in the 2020 presidential race. The 2020 Democratic candidates emphasize different approaches to issues like immigration, healthcare and foreign policy. Although Hillary Clinton is absent from the roster, women are well represented, including one Democratic candidate who rose to fame with an assist from Oprah Winfrey. Only three Republican candidates are seeking to unseat President Trump.

GOBankingRates explored each candidate’s platform, campaign finances, net worth and more. Take a look at where the candidates stand on key issues as they campaign for the presidency.

This guide to the 2020 presidential candidates will cover the following:

2020 Democratic Candidates

The Democrats in the 2020 race comprise a crowded field of candidates who are vying to unseat Trump. RealClearPolitics’ snapshot of recent polling data focused on the Democratic presidential nomination shows that former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren are leading the pack. Here’s a closer look at the Democratic candidates and their platforms.

Michael Bennet

As a presidential candidate, Michael Bennet is running on a platform of building opportunities for all Americans by undoing Trump policies that he believes undermine the country’s values. He proposes to reverse the Muslim travel ban and the transgender military ban. Bennet also says he’ll ensure that the federal government protects “Dreamers” and he’ll halt the separation of families. He could use the Medicare-X policy that he pushed as a senator to reform healthcare if he wins the presidency.

Net worth: $6,527,029 to $25,630,000Funding sources: Individual contributions, transfers from other authorized committeesFunds raised: Over $3.5 million for the period ending June 30

Joseph Biden

Joe Biden wants to improve foreign relations by setting a good example. If he’s elected president, he vows to repair what he sees as damaged relationships with allies in addition to standing up to strongmen, putting the U.S. in a position to be the moral and economic leader of the world. He sees the military, economic power, diplomacy, science, technology and education as the tools that support the pursuit of that position.

Net worth: $2,137,033 to $7,924,998Funding sources: Individual contributions, committee contributionsFunds raised: Over $22 million for the period ending June 30

Cory Booker

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Former Newark Mayor Cory Booker focuses his campaign on three main topics: justice, opportunity and American leadership. He wants to end mass incarceration, curb violence through gun control, protect reproductive rights and guarantee equality for LGBTQ people and those with disabilities. He’s also promoting an immigration system that reflects American values. Booker champions college and workforce training, healthcare and public education for all Americans, safe and affordable housing, and economic opportunity.

Net worth: $480,006 to $1,050,000Funding sources: Individual contributions, committee contributions, transfers from other authorized committeesFunds raised: Over $12.4 million for the period ending June 30

Steve Bullock

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Montana Gov. Steve Bullock has thrown his hat into the ring as a presidential candidate, lamenting a loss of opportunity for Americans that he’s observed during Trump’s presidency. He’s a moderate Democrat with some liberal leanings on issues like gun control, where he favors a ban on assault weapons. He also expanded the Medicaid program in Montana, which could serve as a template if he’s elected.

Net worth: $822,033 to $2,629,998Funding sources: Individual contributions, committee contributionsFunds raised: Over $2 million for the period ending June 30

Pete Buttigieg

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Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, is now on the campaign trail, pushing freedom, security and democracy as his platform. He wants a bipartisan approach to security, and he sees opening Medicare up to those who want it as a pathway to eventually achieve Medicare for All. He’s promoting his “Douglass Plan” to empower African Americans and remove inequalities in the criminal justice and health systems.

Net worth: -$277,990 to $166,998Funding sources: Individual contributions, committee contributions, transfers from other authorized committeesFunds raised: Over $32.3 million for the period ending June 30

Julián Castro

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Julián Castro has a strong message for people of color. Castro wants to stop the shooting of unarmed individuals, and he proposes to do this with a People First Policing plan that would hold law enforcement officers accountable and end overaggressive policing. He also seeks to heal the growing rift between law enforcement and American communities.

Net worth: $158,011 to $509,999Funding sources: Individual contributions, committee contributionsFunds raised: Over $4.1 million for the period ending June 30

Bill de Blasio

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Bill de Blasio’s rallying cry is that he’ll fight for working families. He says he can do for America what he did for New York, where he’s been the mayor since 2014. One of his successes from his stint there is the implementation of a universal pre-K program for youngsters.

Net worth: $732,008 to $14,054,994Funding sources: Individual contributionsFunds raised: Over $1 million for the period ending June 30

John Delaney

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Entrepreneur John Delaney says that America is currently divided, and he’s vowed to reunite the country if elected and tackle some major issues. He is in favor of more stringent gun control measures, including universal background checks for gun purchases and limits on certain types of guns. Delaney also advocates for expanded opportunities for African Americans and immigration reform that includes a clear path to citizenship.

Net worth: $55,839,192 to $279,739,027Funding sources: Individual contributions, committee contributions, candidate contributions, loansFunds raised: Over $26.3 million for the period ending June 30

Tulsi Gabbard

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Tulsi Gabbard’s campaign vision harks back to a fear from the Cold War days. She wants to eliminate the fear of nuclear war, and ensure that basic human needs like food, clean water and medical care are met for all Americans. With most of her competitors espousing strong support of LGBTQ rights, she’s trying to distance herself from her former anti-LGBTQ position.

Net worth: -$509,000 to $580,000Funding sources: Individual contributions, candidate contributions, committee contributions, transfers from other authorized committeesFunds raised: Over $6 million for the period ending June 30

Kamala Harris

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Kamala Harris promotes boosting the middle class and ensuring fair wages, including an increase in teachers’ pay, affordable housing and Medicare for All. She promises to take action on the climate crisis and to pass gun safety laws, including a ban on assault weapons. Harris also opposes Trump’s immigration policy. She wants to reinstate protections for “Dreamers” and their parents and expand temporary protected status for immigrants who cannot safely return to their home countries.

Net worth: $1,892,053 to $6,054,999Funding sources: Individual contributions, committee contributions, transfers from other authorized committeesFunds raised: Over $25 million for the period ending June 30

Amy Klobuchar

Although Amy Klobuchar doesn’t support decriminalizing border crossings, she disagrees with Trump’s enforcement policies and sees the current U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids as a bid by the president to distract from other issues. Her overall philosophy emphasizes a focus on shared prosperity. Klobuchar is in favor of tuition-free one- and two-year programs at community colleges, paid family leave and a $15 federal minimum wage.

Net worth: $900,025 to $2,275,000Funding sources: Individual contributions, committee contributions, transfers from other authorized committeesFunds raised: Over $12.7 million for the period ending June 30

Wayne Messam

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Wayne Messam wants to make the leap from being the mayor of Miramar, Florida, to becoming the president of the United States. He says his experience as a business owner will help him create jobs, and as the son of Jamaican immigrants, he supports an open immigration policy. His campaign could be undermined by ongoing funding issues that caused some staffers to quit after not being paid properly.

Net worth: UnknownFunding sources: Individual contributionsFunds raised: Over $93,000 for the period ending June 30

Beto O’Rourke

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Beto O’Rourke faces an uphill battle after Vanity Fair quoted him as saying, “I want to be in it. Man, I’m just born to be in it.” The former Texas congressman denies he meant it with a sense of entitlement and says he’d bring the country together if he were elected president. He wants to protect immigrants and spearhead criminal justice reform, and he’s touting his comprehensive plan to stop climate change by moving toward renewable energy and away from sources that produce greenhouse gases.

Net worth: $3,422,030 to $16,356,001Funding sources: Individual contributions, committee contributions, transfers from other authorized committeesFunds raised: Over $13.6 million for the period ending June 30

Tim Ryan

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Tim Ryan is focusing his campaign on revamping the American education system and reducing climate change through a switch to clean energy. He helped pass the Affordable Care Act during the Obama administration, and he promises to expand on it if he’s elected president by providing a buy-in option for Medicare.

Net worth: Estimated at $283,004 as of 2015, according to OpenSecrets.orgFunding sources: Individual contributions, committee contributionsFunds raised: Over $889,000 for the period ending June 30

Bernie Sanders

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Perennial presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is a self-identified democratic socialist. Sanders is promoting an expansion of Social Security, student loan cancellations and comprehensive veteran support services, including dental care and expanded mental health coverage. Beyond that, he wants to provide healthcare to all Americans and to implement some sweeping prescription drug reforms.

Net worth: $729,030 to $1,837,701Funding sources: Individual contributions, transfers from other authorized committeesFunds raised: Over $46.4 million for the period ending June 30

Joe Sestak

Joe Sestak views America’s infrastructure as crumbling, and he has pledged to spend $1 trillion over 10 years to fix bridges, dams, levees and other critical structures. Sestak plans to reinstate and expand the Affordable Care Act, as well as enact prescription drug reform. He wants America to rejoin the Paris agreement and proposes to give the Environmental Protection Agency full authority over substances that worsen global warming. As the son of immigrants, he proposes to monitor border security mainly with smart technology, using fencing only where needed, and to give undocumented immigrants a clear path to citizenship.

Tom Steyer

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Billionaire philanthropist Tom Steyer is running for president and counting on his outsider status to help him get elected. He vows to fight the influence of corporations on government. Steyer supports impeaching Trump, but he’ll settle for taking his place in the Oval Office to promote government reform and eliminate corruption.

Net worth: $1.6 billion as of Sept. 11, according to ForbesFunding sources: Individual contributions, loansFunds raised: Over $800,000 for the period ending June 30

Elizabeth Warren

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Elizabeth Warren is clear about wanting to end corruption in Washington, so she’s made that a major tenet of her presidential campaign. Her proposed reforms include making major changes to lobbying and banning congressmen and senators from stock trading while in office. She’s also a proponent of transparency, promising to force all candidates for federal office to make their tax returns public. Warren refuses to take money from major contributors, relying instead on grassroots fundraising.

Net worth: $4,880,022 to $11,075,000Funding sources: Individual contributions, candidate contributions, transfers from other authorized committeesFunds raised: Over $35.6 million for the period ending June 30

Marianne Williamson

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Despite some early rumblings, Oprah Winfrey isn’t running for president, but she did raise Marianne Williamson’s profile. Williamson entered the public eye after a 1992 appearance on Winfrey’s talk show when her book, “A Return to Love,” was released. Her platform places an emphasis on approaching political turmoil with an internal focus to repair the rip in the country’s psychological fabric. Williamson is in favor of a $15 minimum wage, free tuition at public colleges and community colleges, and portable retirement plans for all American workers.

Net worth: $783,031 to $2,126,006Funding sources: Individual contributionsFunds raised: Over $3 million for the period ending June 30

Andrew Yang

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Businessman Andrew Yang is promoting what might seem like a radical idea, although several countries are currently experimenting with it: universal basic income. He proposed to give $1,000 per month to every American. He says this would boost the economy by about $2.5 trillion by 2025. With 40 million Americans living below the poverty line, he sees it as a way to support the consumer economy. He also proposes to go beyond the Affordable Care Act by implementing a Medicare for All program. He proposes ways to control costs, like paying doctors flat salaries and setting prices for medical services.

Net worth: $584,047 to $2,276,015Funding sources: Individual contributions, committee contributions, candidate contributionsFunds raised: Over $5.2 million for the period ending June 30

Mark Sanford

Mark Sanford is running against Trump for the Republican nomination on a platform of addressing the escalating national debt. Sanford feels that the national debt is simply a deferring of taxes that will harm future generations and warns that Americans are currently in a financial bubble. He believes that if government spending isn’t reined in, it will hit Americans in the wallet when the bubble bursts and will lead to a decline in consumer spending as savings accounts dwindle in the aftermath.

Net worth: Estimated at $7,248,015 as of 2015, according to OpenSecrets.orgFunding sources: No campaign finance data availableFunds raised: No campaign finance data available

Donald Trump

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Donald Trump hopes to continue to “Make America Great Again” for another four years. Trump is focusing his campaign on the economy’s growth during his current presidency, as well as foreign policy and immigration enforcement actions. Supporters see these as accomplishments that they’d like to see continue through 2020 and beyond, while detractors view many actions, like the recent immigration raids, as reasons to drift toward the Democratic candidates.

Net worth: $930,070,182 to $1,697,133,057Funding sources: Individual contributions, committee contributions, transfers from other authorized committeesFunds raised: Over $124 million for the period ending June 30

Joe Walsh

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Former Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh has called Trump “unfit to be president” and is looking to give conservative voters an alternative. He feels that Trump’s spending is leading America toward a financial crisis. In an interview with The Week, Walsh expressed concern over the amount of money being spent on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. If he somehow manages to pull off a victory, Walsh would focus his efforts on addressing the spending on those three programs.

Net worth: Estimated at -$71,500 as of 2012, according to OpenSecrets.orgFunding sources: No campaign finance data availableFunds raised: No campaign finance data available

Bill Weld

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Bill Weld has an uphill battle challenging the current president for the 2020 Republican nomination, but he’s counting on Trump’s legal troubles to boost his bid as a presidential candidate. He believes that Trump should have been indicted for obstruction of justice. Weld holds out his track record as a two-term governor of Massachusetts and a seven-year stint in the Department of Justice as reasons he should be an alternative. A press release on his campaign website noted that, as governor, Weld cut taxes 21 times and did not once raise them.

Net worth: $6,685,014 to $70,229,988Funding sources: Individual contributions, loansFunds raised: Over $800,000 for the period ending June 30

Candidates Who Have Dropped Out of the Race

August 2019 was a month of casualties for the Democratic party as several candidates ended their bids in the presidential race. As time goes on, the field of candidates eager to challenge Trump will become even narrower. Keep reading to learn the details surrounding the candidates’ withdrawals.

Campaigns That Have Ended

Here’s a snapshot of the Democrats who ended their presidential campaigns in August:

Kirsten Gillibrand

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Title: United States senator from New York

Kirsten Gillibrandtook to Twitter to announce the end of her presidential candidacy at the end of August. She posted an explanatory video after her failed attempt to qualify for the third Democratic primary debate. Gillibrand fell short of the donor and polling thresholds needed to qualify. She made it to the first two debates but did not have many defining moments that made her stand out.

John Hickenlooper

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Title: Former governor of Colorado

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper dropped out of the presidential race in mid-August after struggling to meet the polling and donor thresholds to qualify for the September debate. With the end of his presidential bid, he’s shifting his attention to a possible U.S. Senate run, urged on by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democratic Party leaders.

Jay Inslee

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Title: Governor of Washington

Jay Inslee ended his presidential bid in late August as his prospects of snagging the Democratic nomination dimmed, but he’s still adamant that the United States must take the lead in arresting climate change. He announced his withdrawal on MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show.” While he didn’t share definitive plans for the future, it looks likely that he’ll run for a third gubernatorial term in Washington.

Seth Moulton

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Title: United States representative from Massachusetts

Seth Moulton stepped down from his presidential campaign in late August after failing to qualify for any of the Democratic debates. This change of direction will allow him to relaunch his Serve America PAC to support the election of Democrats, with a special focus on female candidates. He’s also setting his sights on winning reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives.

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